Definition of stratumnext
1
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the lower strata of society have been hit especially hard by this economic downturn

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2
as in level
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement the level of writing in that pop novel is several strata beneath that of serious fiction

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stratum Four men hijack a subway and demand a million-dollar ransom, setting off a chain of events that touches every stratum of city life. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 That stratum consisted mostly of bankers—guys in their 20s and 30s who spent their days moving money around and their nights trying to pretend that the rest of their lives weren’t preordained. — Jimmy Jellinek, SPIN, 28 Apr. 2026 The exhibition begins by presenting three different layers, which are sort of presented as a stratum. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026 The taco features a stratum of smoke and heat, with the octopus piled onto a fresh corn tortilla with purple onions pickled Yucatan-style with citrus. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stratum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stratum
Noun
  • In 2023, authorities interrupted a Sunday church class to warn Gu and Cui that their church had become too large, Gu said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Jewish students should be able to attend class, enter campus buildings, and participate in student organizations without ancestry- or faith-based discrimination.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • National governments will already be looking at their aviation authority regulations and frameworks and there will be discussions at the European and global level, John Edwards, senior consultant at Gates Aviation in London, said by phone.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • This level of engineering and performance potential drops the One-All into a competitive segment.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Narayan, a Dalit tailor, insists on marking his own ballot in an upcoming election instead of allowing an upper-caste landlord’s men to vote on his behalf.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Abhijeet Dipke, the leader of the Cockroach movement, is a Dalit (lower caste) and initially came in for considerable online abuse over that issue.
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Hegseth’s unprecedented intervention in the meritocratic promotion process has dramatically altered the military’s upper echelons.
    — Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The schism would go on to shape the future of journalism from the newsletter economy all the way up to the highest echelons of Hollywood and television news after Weiss was appointed editor in chief of CBS News last year.
    — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Dhillon, a Sikh who was born in India and immigrated to the United States as a child, was a prominent figure in conservative legal and political circles even before being tapped to her Justice Department position.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
  • This early risk awareness later defined his policy position, as Knot gained a reputation during his tenure as Dutch central bank governor for aggressively combating inflation, enforcing fiscal discipline, and safeguarding financial stability.
    — , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Eventually, Barton-Kennedy was court-martialed for disobeying a lawful command, pled guilty, was reduced in rank, and ordered to serve 10 months in detention.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The disparities extend beyond hiring and are exacerbated at higher ranks.
    — Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Bishop Moore has climbed the state ranking ladder and is the top seed in 4A with by far the strongest strength of schedule for that class.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But because of their initial ranking, any slip-ups could push the Bruins out of the top 12.
    — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • His burial site, at Machpelah Cemetery in New York City, has long been a Halloween gathering place.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Sidney Crosby scored two goals while moving into sole possession of sixth place on the NHL's career scoring list, and the Pittsburgh Penguins snapped their four-game skid with a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stratum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stratum. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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